Andy Marshall from the National Parks and Wildlife Service said a Harrington couple was bushwalking and noticed splashing and buoys floating in the ocean about 300m offshore from Indian Head in the Crowdy Bay National Park.

They attended the caretaker’s office at the Diamond Head camp grounds at around 9.30am and the NPWS whale disentanglement team was dispatched. 

Mr Marshall, Col Waters and Luke Winters launched the inflatable rescue vessel from the beach at Diamond Head shortly after 12pm.

The crew were joined by Port Macquarie Marine Rescue on scene shortly after 1pm. The NPWS officers worked from their boat to free the whale.

“The rope was entangled around its tail and was anchored to the sea floor,” Mr Marshall said.

“We were able to work with our equipment on long poles to free the tail. We don’t get in the water with the whale and recommend that other people don’t either. They are powerful animals.”

The crews followed the whale a short distance out to sea before returning to shore at around 2.30pm.

A few people witnessed the rescue from Indian Head.

Mr Marshall said the start of whale season was an opportune time to remind people of the whale “Triple Zero.”

“If people see a marine mammal in distress they can call the Office of Environment and Heritage Enviro Line 131 555, or ORRCA hotline (Organisation for the Rescue and Research of Cetaceans in Australia) which is a volunteer organisation on 02 9415 3333. Either of those avenues will get the message to us and help on the way,” Andy said.

Watch the video of Andy Marshall explaining the details of the whale and its rescue:

Without the intervention of the rescue team, the whale would likely have died. 

“Assisting entangled whales is a dangerous exercise requiring specialist training,” said NPWS Senior Wildlife Officer, Susan Crocetti.

“About 100 metres of nylon rope and seven, six-inch floats from fishing gear were removed in a delicate but dangerous operation.

“The NPWS Whale Disentanglement Teams undertake rigorous training exercises to prepare for these types of incidents during the annual migration.

“An adult humpback is the equivalent in weight to 11 elephants and their tails are extremely powerful which is why only specially trained staff should attempt a rescue.

“NPWS will consider the behaviour of the whale and safety concerns such as weather conditions before attempting a disentanglement response as the safety of the team is paramount.

“As whale numbers increase there is a greater likelihood that some of these animals may become entangled in fishing gear or marine debris, wash up onto our beaches, or come in contact with boats,” Ms Crocetti said.

While the whale was caught in ropes from fish traps, Mr Marshal said it was important not to blame fishermen for the whale getting caught.

“Fishers are very likely struggling to adapt methods happily used over the past 50+ years, in the face of a a booming whale population,” he said.

“In the 1970's there may have been less than 500 humpback whales in the East Australian population, where now there may be between 27,000 to 30,000, and that has a big impact on the fishing industry, who will need help to adapt if we want to also protect the whales.”

NPWS leads large whale disentanglement responses, working closely with a number of partners including ORRCA, Department of Primary Industries, Roads and Maritime Safety Authority, Marine Rescue, Water Police, Surf Life Saving NSW, and commercial operators.

The whale is now continuing its migration.